â˘Â   Donât ever out a transperson. This is dangerous to their safety & can invalidate their identity. Likewise, be aware of your surroundings when discussing trans issues with a transperson. For their safety & comfort, they may prefer not to discuss these topics in public places or among strangers.
â˘Â   Always use the pronouns & name the person wants you to use. If youâre unsure, ASK! If you make a mistake, correct yourself, & politely (& subtly, if possible) correct others if they use the wrong pronoun.
â˘Â   Ask when & where itâs safe to use their chosen name & pronouns (e.g., if a transperson is not out at home, ask them how you should refer to them around their family, etc). Donât ask transpeople what their ârealâ name is (i.e., the one they were born with). If you know their birth name, do not divulge it to others. Â
â˘Â   Instead of using prefixes like bio- or real- to designate that someone is not trans, use ânon-transâ or the prefix âcis-â. Two reasons for this: one, using ârealâ or âbioâ sets up a dichotomy in which transpeople are not considered ârealâ or âbiological.â Two, using the terms trans & non-trans or cis- alters the framework so that transpeople are the default rather than the Other. Setting up trans as the norm can help make transphobia & gender privilege more obvious.
â˘Â   Instead of saying someone was born a boy (or a girl), try saying they were assigned male at birth (or were female-assigned). These terms recognize the difference between sex & gender, and emphasize the ways in which sex & gender are assigned to individuals at birth, rather than being innate, binary or immutable qualities.
â˘Â   Donât confuse gender with sexual preference. Transpeople, like non-trans people, are straight, gay, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, etc. Gender is not tied to sexual preference, & there are a million ways to express desire.
â˘Â   Donât fetishize. Transpeopleâs bodies are not a public forum. âCreatures with cunts,â âthe best of both worldsâ & âchicks with dicksâ are all inappropriate ways of describing transpeopleâs bodies.
â˘Â   Donât ask transpeople about their bodies, how they have sex, what their genitals are like, etc. Itâs rude & none of your business. It can help to think about whether you would ask these questions of a non-trans person.
â˘Â   Donât ask about surgery or hormone status; donât ask âwhen are you going to have the surgery?â or âare you on hormones?â Like non-trans people, our medical histories & bodies can be intensely personal & private. If transpeople want to share these details with you, allow them to do so on their own terms.
â˘Â   Donât assume the only way to transition is through hormones/surgery, & understand that medical transition is very often based on economic status. Recognize the classism inherent in associating medical transition with âauthenticâ trans identities.
â˘Â   Donât assume all transpeople want hormones and/or surgery, or to transition at all.
â˘Â   Donât assume all transpeople feel âtrapped in the wrong body.â This is an oversimplification and not the way (all) transpeople feel.
â˘Â   Donât assume all transpeople identify as âmenâ or âwomen.â Many transpeople and genderqueer people identify as both, neither, or something altogether different.
â˘Â   Donât tell transpeople what is appropriate to their gender (e.g., transwomen should grow their hair out & wear dresses). Like non-trans people, we have varying forms of gender expression.
â˘Â   Recognize the diversity of trans & genderqueer lives. Remember that these identities are part of other identities, and intersect with race, class, sexual preference, age, etc.
â˘Â   Do listen if a transperson chooses to talk to you about their gender identity. Be honest about things you donât understandâdonât try to fake it!
â˘Â   Be aware of places transpeople may not be able to go (pun intended). Be understanding if a transperson doesnât feel safe using a gendered bathroom or locker room. If your organization is holding an event, designate a gender-neutral bathroom in the building.
â˘Â   Recognize that not all transpeople or genderqueer folks are out there trying to smash the gender binary. Recognize that itâs not their responsibility. If you want to smash the gender binary, then you do it!
â˘Â   Donât ask transpeople to educate you. Do your own homework & research. Understand that there is a difference between talking to individuals about their preferences/perspectives and forcing someone to be your educator. Try not to view individuals as spokespeople; the trans communities are diverse, not one monolithic voice or viewpoint.
â˘Â   Donât assume transmen are exempt from male privilege, misogyny, sexism, etc, just because of a so-called âgirl past.â
â˘Â   Recognize that transwomen deal with sexism in a very real way (on top of transphobia).
â˘Â   Recognize that transwomen deserve access to âwomen-onlyâ spaces/programs/shelters/etc.
â˘Â   Recognize your privilege & prejudices as a normatively gendered person.
â˘Â   Think about what makes you uncomfortable & why.
â˘Â   Donât let transphobia slide. Confront it as you would confront all other forms of oppression. Trans issues are rarely discussed & when they are it is often in a negative light. Transphobia is equally oppressive as (& works in conjunction with) sexism, homophobia, racism, classism, etc.
â˘Â   Talk about trans issues/rights. Engage people in discussions & share your knowledge. The majority of âinformationâ people have about trans issues is based on stereotypes & assumptions. To most people, trans folks are the freaks from Jerry Springer.
â˘Â   Be aware of the vital role you play as a non-trans person. Remember that the way you talk about transpeople (e.g., using the right pronouns) influences how others perceive us & can make a difference in whether we pass, & whether we feel safe/comfortable. Always remember that people may be more likely to listen to & take cues from non-trans people than from transpeople. What you say & do matters!
â˘Â   Donât just mourn or take action when transpeople are murdered. Celebrate trans lives & work at making trans & genderqueer issues more visible on a day-to-day basis.
â˘Â   Donât tokenize. Simply adding the âTâ to LGB doesnât make you or your organization hip, progressive, or an ally. Make sure you have the resources, information & understanding to deserve that T.
â˘Â   Above all respect and support transpeople in their lives & choices.
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